Just Back: Matthew Modine, Ross Bleckner, Tina Barney, Lauren Ezersky

February 1997

Travel + Leisure

Updated February 02, 2017

. . . from TorontoMatthew Modine, actor

"I was shooting a film--Tom DiCillo's The Real Blond, with Daryl Hannah and Marlo Thomas. We did one scene at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and I was impressed by the Henry Moore sculptures. Our hotel, the Sutton Place, had so many movie people it seemed like the Chateau Marmont, without the palm trees."Tip: "You must eat at Joso's, an excellent seafood restaurant."

. . . from RomeTina Barney, photographer

"I spent a month as a visiting artist at the American Academy. I went there with a wild dream of a project--to photograph families, as I've been doing since 1975. The Roman settings and interiors were fantastic."Tip: "Visit the San Luigi dei Francesi church for its Caravaggio paintings."

. . . from BangkokRoss Bleckner, artist

"I had a show of my new paintings at Gallery Kyoko Chirathivat, the only contemporary-art gallery I know of in Thailand. The Oriental, where I stayed, has flawless service. I loved relaxing on the terrace overlooking the Chao Phraya river."Tip: "I recommend a Thai-style massage at the Oriental's spa."

. . . from JapanLauren Ezersky, writer and TV journalist

"I was in Tokyo working like a dog at a fashion-trend seminar sponsored by the department store Seibu. In the Ginza district, I bought an amazing antique kimono at a shop called Hayashi Kimono." Tip: "Stay at the luxurious Dai-ichi."